Letter from the Editor

Multiple sclerosis is a complex neurological disease that manifests itself in diverse, often co-existing symptoms that affect a person’s mobility and functioning in daily activities, with the consequent negative effect on self-esteem, family and social roles and employment.

For many people with MS, pharmacological therapy alone is not able to address particular symptoms adequately or, in some cases, disease progression. Rehabilitation is a component of the comprehensive management of MS that focuses on function, and adds nonpharmacological strategies for the care of the person. The objectives of rehabilitation in MS are to encourage autonomy and improve the quality of life through goal-oriented programmes that directly involve the person with MS in determining treatment priorities.

The foundation of an effective rehabilitation programme is the team, which includes the person with MS and the family, who work closely with experts from a number of specialised disciplines, including professionals knowledgeable in exercise, technical aids, speech and swallowing, vocational aspects and counselling. Working in collaboration, the rehabilitation team creates a plan, which includes short-term and long-term goals, that meets the individual needs of the person with MS, taking into account his or her priorities, lifestyle and desires.

This issue of MS in focus discusses rehabilitation, a topic that is relevant regardless of a person’s level of impairment or disease course. Each article presents the underlying principles, aims and evidence from the literature regarding specific areas of MS rehabilitation, contributed by members of teams from around the world.

On behalf of the Editorial Board, we hope that healthcare professionals and people with MS alike find this issue an interesting and useful resource.

I look forward to receiving your comments.

Michele Messmer Uccelli
Editor